1. #7 Extension to Secaucus
regional transportation and economic Solutions for the 21st Century
Len Resto & Christine Berthet- September 17, 2016

2. The Problem
Additional capacity needed to handle current and future passenger volume into and out of New York City
NJ Transit trains are currently operating into and out of New York Penn Station at peak capacity, but on-time performance needs improvement
Bus travel time to the Port Authority Bus Terminal totally unpredictable, varying widely due to many factors
Lincoln Tunnel currently operating beyond capacity
Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) trains operating beyond capacity
Ferry service overly expensive for average rider
Infrastructure in desperate need of repair
Regional population up 14% in past 30 years & growing
Rail demand expected to rise 50% by 2030; bus demand by 30%

3. The Problem, cont’d
Additional capacity needed to handle current and future passenger volume into and out of New York City
Gateway project is “underway” but not near completion
The south tube of the Hudson River Tunnels is fragile, and will need to be taken out of service for desperately needed repairs due to Sandy and age
The tube may need to close before Gateway is completed, severely impacting current capacity
No new ferry services are contemplated in the near future
Population of Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Harrison continues to grow as Millennials settle there for auto-free mobility options
The current transportation system cannot handle the load
Current transportation system offers no predictability

4. Proposed Solutions
The Suggested Ways of Getting Out of Our “Mess”

5. Current Proposed Solutions/Situations
The “Gateway” Project
Additional tunnels under the Hudson and replacement of Portal Bridge
Amtrak project with Port Authority, NJ Transit and federal government involvement
Close one of the existing 100+ year old tunnels, initially the south one, for repair due to Sandy damage and age
Build a new $10 Billion Port Authority Bus Terminal with greater bus capacity approximately 1 to 3 blocks farther west in Manhattan
PATH Positive Train Control installation to allow a few more trains to operate on its lines

6. The Legislative View
The Coveted & Mostly Non- Existent “One-Seat” Ride: Bring Your Own!

7. Legislative Assumptions
The “Gateway” project may or may not be ready before an existing tunnel needs to be closed
The Port Authority “West” Bus Terminal will “guarantee” the “one seat” ride passengers currently have and want
Most bus and rail passengers already have a one-seat ride to work
Existing ferry service is underutilized and has room to expand
HBLRT extension is a local issue, not a regional one
Restoration or keeping of the “status quo” is good enough

8. The Reality
The “Gateway” project will not be ready before an existing tunnel has to be closed
Even when the current phase is completed, trans-Hudson capacity will not be increased--because the existing tunnels will have to be shut down for lengthy repair, portal bridge and restraints at Penn Station
Most bus and rail passengers already have a multi-seat ride to work. Their destinations are not necessarily walkable from the PABT
The seat change currently occurs in Manhattan and involves either riding a local bus or the subway. Sizeable two-seat destinations are the east side of Manhattan, and, to a lesser degree, south and north
The issue isn’t a “one seat” ride, it is the TIME it takes to get to work or home
A new PABT-West lengthens the TIME it takes to get to work or home

9. The PABT West Problem Big $$ for Greater Inconvenience
A new PABT-West lengthens the TIME it takes to get to work or home
Walking: On average two to three additional long blocks
Subway: Current users of the 1, 2, 3, A, C and E lines to endure longer walk and/or a subway-to-subway transfer (E-line currently serves east side of midtown north of 48th Street)
Result: Will drive people away from Public Transportation
Will not relieve bus congestion
Increases air pollution in central, western Manhattan
Deprives NYC of valuable real estate tax base

10. 21st Century Regional Realities
Workers live and work both in NJ and NY
Both economies are dependent upon the other
The “one seat” ride does not exist and never has existed for most commuters
The change of seats has traditionally happened in NY; it can happen in NJ, and at a great savings of time
Our waterfront cities will continue to grow
Younger people will be less “auto-centric” and that need must be addressed
Our economy will be constricted by our ability to move people. Transportation’s ceiling will be our economic ceiling

11. 21st Century Regional Solutions
Admit this is a regional economy
Fast-track Gateway
Close and fix the Hudson River tunnels, one at a time
Replace Portal Bridge with a modern 4 track structure
Decide how to renovate Penn Station/Moynihan for maximum efficiency
Recognize that the Lincoln Tunnel is beyond maximum capacity NOW!

12. 21st Century Regional Solutions
Extend the #7 subway line west to Secaucus and build a new PABT at Secaucus instead of NYC
Fewer buses will use the Lincoln Tunnel reducing congestion to speed commuter trips
Current PABT will not ease congestion at Lincoln Tunnel and speed commuter trips
Eliminates existing chaos of subway/bus transfers near the PABT in NYC with speedy, rider-friendly connection from new PABT and existing rail station
Passengers walking from current PABT continue to have their one-seat ride
Reduces need to extend Gateway project to east side of midtown
Parsons-Brinkerhoff Study
P-B Study of 2013 estimates time from Secaucus to Grand Central to be 16 minutes, shaving over 30 minutes off current commute
P-B Study states #7 can run one train every two minutes (30 trains per hour)
#7 permits easy transfer to most other subway lines- east side access

13. Interim/Long-Term Solutions
Expand and increase ferry service and provide additional subsidies to allow average worker to use it
Increase service to underutilized Hoboken Terminal
Extend Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to eastern Bergen County, bringing more passengers to Hudson River waterfront and ferries
Provide additional “off peak” service on all transit modes
Add citizen members to the Port Authority Board
Ensure that Port Authority Board members have transportation backgrounds, either as planners or users

14. More 21st Century Regional Solutions
Complete HBLRT to New York State border to allow Bergen County riders the opportunity to transfer to ferries or #7. Extend HBLRT to Rockland County and Staten Island
Implement technology to allow seamless fare collection with one fare payment
Once Gateway is operational and existing tunnels rebuilt and renovated, implement M-O-M project and also extend rail service to West Trenton, Phillipsburg and Sparta, and on the entire Lackawanna Cutoff

15. Extend #7 Line To Secaucus; Forego Building a PABT-West
Thank you for your attention
Questions?